Good Things

photo by Brian Lambert

Good things come to those who wait... sometimes.

In a matter of weeks, the lives of the Whites of Austin, TX have changed pretty drastically.  I have a really good feeling about this year, and no doubt it has to do with the fact that so far 2012 has been pretty much marinated in awesomeness.  yep, I said it: marinated.

As many of you know, we moved back to Texas from the District in November of 2010.  We moved in with my parents in New Braunfels, "for the holidays."  Our plan was to be employed and housed in Austin by late January. At. The. Latest.  That is, January 2011.  Little did we know.... 

By the time we were married in March, we still hadn't found a house and, despite my parent's unwavering generosity, our patience with the situation was wearing thin.  Since the wedding was also at my parent's house, it really wasn't so bad living there.  In fact, it made sense -- we had so much to do to get ready, that living in Austin and commuting to work on things in New Braunfels would have been a headache anyway.  However, after the wedding nonsense was over, it was time for us to have our own place and start our own lives, together-forever type thing.

Finally, by June we had found the perfect house in a wonderful neighborhood, and within our targeted price point.  Of course, we had established that "price point" back when we expected to be employed.  We decided to take the risk, use our savings, and rent this little home, because it just seemed too good to be true.

From June until August, we searched high and low for employment.  Nada.  Finally, the Hubs got a job working nights, but the salary was terrible.  He took it anyway and suffered through for four long months.  Actually, we both suffered.  Our newly formed marriage suffered.  Our savings account still suffered.  In December, he accepted a new job that started in early January, that paid much much much much better.  

Since January 1st, our lives have been like Night and Day difference... and I'm not just talking about the schedule.  Yes, finally, we see each other in daylight!  Finally, we sleep in the same bed at the same time.  But what's that you say?  We can pay our bills?  Hallelujah!

We finally are both happy in our jobs, even if they aren't "careers."  We love where we live, and even though it needs a lot of love to be perfect, we have that love (and energy) to give.  We are so excited about this year and all the crazy things that are happening, which we will now be able to share in (weddings, trips, travel, etc) thanks to a little extra cash flow.  Yes, 2012 has been a long time in coming.  We have waited, and finally good things have happened to us.  We don't take credit for any of it.  We waited, but we weren't necessarily patient.  We had no choice.  And it was very, very humbling.

You don't realize how much stress, worry, and burden money can cause.  Until it does.  I didn't grow up having everything I wanted; I just had everything I needed.  I've never owned a new car, and the car I do own I paid for myself.  I didn't have an overflowing wardrobe as a teenager.  I rarely have the latest and greatest in technology.  For the last few weeks, we've constantly been talking about how content we are, how "rich" we feel (in comparison only), what a relief it is not to have to worry all the time... about everything.  

And then tonight as I was driving home from shopping at Target for things we don't really need, I passed a woman standing at the corner of the intersection, holding a sign that simply said:

25¢

"Money's only important when you don't have any." --Sting